Airbus A380, VH-OQD

Summary:

The aircraft was being prepared for departure from Stand 301 at London Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 3. Weather conditions were dry and clear. A baggage tug, towing baggage containers loaded onto four purpose built trailers, approached the aircraft’s front hold. As it did so, a partly loaded container on the third trolley made contact with the aircraft’s number three engine cowling, penetrating the cowling and also damaging the container.

The ground handling company conducted an investigation. No technical deficiencies were found with the baggage tug, the trailer or the container itself. The investigation determined that the accident arose because the vehicle driver had not followed existing procedures regarding the approach route to the aircraft’s forward baggage hold door. No changes to procedures were deemed necessary, but steps were taken to remind ramp staff of the required procedures and to ensure these were being followed through a system of ramp checks.